The Celebrations Venue and Red Room Supper Club — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

2/5 Stars: Red Room, More Like Red Flag. All these prior reviewers must be a friend of Domenico!

Walking into The Red Room Supper Club at The Celebrations Venue is like stepping into a vampire’s fever dream—red everything, dim lighting, and an ambiance that screams, “We’re trying so hard to be sultry.” It’s less speakeasy, more “lipstick on a pig.” The decor feels like it’s hiding something, like a shady uncle who dims the lights so you don’t notice his tacky furniture.

The Good: Let’s give credit where it’s due. The service was solid—attentive without hovering, like a good Tinder date. The lasagna? Decent, not Nonna-level, but it held its own. The cocktails? Chef’s kiss—they’re the real MVPs, crafted with enough flair to make you forget the rest of the night… almost. Oh, and the live music was a nice touch. Word on the street is they used to charge for it (yikes), but thankfully, that’s history. The band wasn’t exactly Grammy-worthy, but they kept the vibe alive.

The Bad: Now, let’s talk about that chicken dish. Calling it “shameful” is generous—it was an insult to poultry everywhere. Flavorless, drier than a stand-up comic’s bombing set, and tossed into a sauce like an afterthought. I’ve made worse chicken at home, but here’s the kicker: I didn’t pay $30 for my culinary crimes. This bird was served so fast, it didn’t even have time to flirt with the sauce before landing on my plate. And the chocolate soufflé they’re “known for”? More like known for letting us down. It was a flavorless puff of sadness, like biting into a cloud that forgot how to dream. All four of us chewed in silence, exchanging looks like we’d just been betrayed by dessert itself.

The Verdict: My wife’s birthday dinner was supposed to be a celebration, but it felt more like a funeral for our taste buds. We salvaged her special day with a stellar meal at The Ranch the next night—proof redemption is possible. If you’re hitting up The Red Room, stick to the cocktails, maybe nibble the lasagna, and lower your expectations for anything involving chicken or soufflé. This place is like a bad blind date: great first impression, but the deeper you go, the more...

Food & Drinks: Every single dish was absolute decadence. We started with the burrata, Caesar salad, & arancini—all of which were flawless. The burrata was creamy & rich, paired with juicy confit tomatoes that balanced it perfectly. The Caesar was crisp & fresh with the right amount of Parmesan. & the arancini? Golden on the outside with molten short rib & mozzarella inside..pure comfort elevated to fine dining. For mains, the spaghetti cacio e pepe was silky, peppery perfection & the daily special of sea bass with vegetables was cooked to absolute brilliance, with citrus & herbs that made every bite sing. To finish, the chocolate soufflé was the ultimate showstopper (be sure to order early—it takes 45 minutes but is worth every second). Cocktails were equally impressive. my Fig Raspberry Martini & Lychee Martini were refreshing, & my husband loved the Newport Smash so much he ordered two.

Service: Impeccable from start to finish. Our server was warm, polished, & attentive, & Kenny’s hospitality truly stood out—he even pulled our table out for us instead of making us squeeze into the booth, a small but thoughtful touch that showed both the cleanliness of the space and his attention to detail. Even when I called earlier to confirm the reservation (after my own mix-up), the woman on the phone was so professional & kind. Every staff member we interacted with was clearly hand-picked for excellence.

Ambience: Elegant &lively , with live Italian jazz setting the perfect mood. Domenico, the owner, even joined in to sing—a personal touch that elevated the experience beyond just dining. He is wonderful! Meeting the chef was another highlight, & honestly, he deserved a standing ovation for his artistry.

Overall: Every detail: food, drinks, service, music, & atmosphere—was thoughtfully curated and executed to perfection. Truly an unforgettable dining...

I attended the first comedy show here last night. The venue is a surprising gem. The show was actually very nice. I was surprised that we were required to pay for two drink tickets at the higher cost level even if getting a cheaper beverage such as wine or beer. Also because they only had three bartenders for a sell out crowd who also were required to purchase drink tickets. The bar tender purposely admitted to skipping over me several times because as he said he was getting the first round of everyone and doing his best. But that wasn’t true. The second and third drinks of several would be served before me. I think it was because I approached with my same sex partner and he wasn’t supportive of that. When I went to the owner asking for my funds back he said he would serve me himself. He did eventually 45 min later. I never used the second drink tickets was required to pay for because I was afraid of discriminating service. Additionally, the show started a hour late, the doors were late to open. I think there could be some good bones here. But the service provided was way below par for the high prices and the staff ought not to discriminate against customers. I won’t be back to this venue. Three bartenders for 400...